To appreciate the sublime beauty of Paris, a bulging wallet isn't mandatory. In fact, many of the city's loveliest sights won't require reaching for even one euro. However, when it comes to hotels in palatial settings, complete with butler service and all the luxury bells and whistles that money can buy, it's certainly not difficult to splurge in Paris. Some of the world's most expensive hotels are among the City of Light's options in the luxury category.
Countless kings, queens, emperors, sheiks, dictators and celebrities from all walks of life have left their marks on both the Hôtel de Crillon and the Ritz Paris. Fans eagerly anticipate the 2015 conclusion of two-year long renovations taking place simultaneously at the crown jewels in Paris' hotel scene. Overlooking Place de la Concorde, where Marie Antoinette lost her head, the architecturally splendid 18th century Crillon is the newest star of American-managed Rosewood Hotels. A brand new spa and two grand suites designed by Karl Lagerfeld are still under wraps. Four blocks away, the legendary Ritz was once the home of Coco Chanel, located beside the posh jewelry boutiques of fashionable Place Vendôme. Housing the celebrated Ritz Escoffier cooking school, other unique features are an underground swimming pool and spa, a tunnel for discreet access to the garage and the Hemingway Bar decorated with photographs taken by the author. The Imperial Suite, which has national monument status, was charging $20,000 per night in 2012 when renovations began. Updated room tariffs at both the Crillon and the Ritz are certain to be among Europe's costliest.
Following its 2011 opening on the pricey shopping street, Rue Saint-Honoré, the Mandarin Oriental collection of awards grew quickly. Noted for its contemporary and spacious rooms in a city where traditional and small is common, the hotel's distinctive restaurant, Sur Mesure, contributed by achieving a two-star Michelin award in its debut year. As of 2014, the website shows double rooms beginning at $1,750 per night, with an outlay of $20,000 to book one night in the second-largest suite. Or, spend more for the even larger triplex penthouse suite. A private elevator whisks guests to its rooftop gardens featuring views of the Eiffel Tower. At 4,381 square feet, this is now considered Paris' most spectacular and most expensive suite. Feeling hungry? Plan on $550 for two to dine on Sur Mesure's nine-course tasting menu, exclusive of wine.
Located just off the elegant Champs Elysées, three blocks from the Arc de Triomphe, the George V has been a stalwart among luxury hotel in Paris since its opening in 1928. Beautifully renovated in 2000, the hotel is no longer creating the stir it did at the time of that $125 million renovation, due to lots of activity in Paris' five-star arena. Nonetheless, single occupancy for best price available on a web search for late 2014 dates begins at $1,600 per night. Based on demand, hotels give themselves flexibility to change the price on suites, so published prices can be elusive. As a benchmark, two Royal Suites of 2,630 square feet each, benefiting from private terraces but without city views, were selling at $24,550 a night in 2012.
The Belle Etoile Royal Suite and Presidential Apartment compete with one another for top accolades at this member of the Dorchester Collection. For guests drawn to commanding views, the attention-getting seventh floor suite puts 360-degree quintessential Paris into your camera frame. See sightseeing boats on the River Seine pass Notre Dame, the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay. Turn the other way for a look at the Opera House, Arc de Triomphe and the white domes of Sacré Coeur. Alternatively, contact Le Meurice to discuss pricing for three stately suites interconnected to create privacy in a first floor Presidential Apartment of 3,875 square feet. Bloomberg News reported that Eminem was charged $19,000 per night years ago, but that was probably after negotiations. Not to be missed is one of the world's most beautiful dining rooms with the acclaimed king of cuisine, Alain Ducasse, as head chef. Many reports rank this three Michelin-starred restaurant as the world's most expensive, with a three-course meal (served weeknights only) set at $510 per person -- without wine.
